Could your cup of tea leave you PREGNANT? If you’re on the Pill, you need to know this

We reveal the eight surprising things that could increase your chances of getting pregnant

By Helen Foster

31st July 2016, 12:13 am

Updated: 3rd August 2016, 11:13 am

EEK – the news that one London GP’s surgery was recently inspected and found to be stocking contraceptive pills that expired in 1998 had us rushing to check the dates on our own packets!

But, while it’s highly unlikely that your doctor is handing out dodgy goods, if you’re taking a break from the Pill and keeping a few packs set aside, remember that they do have an expiry date – as do condoms and the vaginal ring.

Trying a teatox

You should leave at least 12 hours between taking the Pill and any detox/laxative product

“Anything that stops the Pill reaching the small intestine before it is absorbed (like vomiting), or that moves it through the intestine too quickly (like diarrhoea) will lower protection,” says Dr Caroline Cooper, associate specialist in sexual and reproductive health at Cambridge’s iCaSH clinic.

“Leave at least 12 hours between taking your Pill and using any kind of detox/laxative product.”

And, ideally, use condoms as a back-up.

If you get an upset stomach, follow the instructions on the leaflet in your Pill to ensure you’re still protected – advice can vary depending on the type of Pill and where you are in the month.

Being veggie

It's thought that veggie diets can boost how much oestrogen you absorb, which affects the Pill

If you’re on a low-dose Pill (that’s one that contains less than 20mcg of oestrogen, such as Mercilon) and are vegetarian, be wary if you start to get breakthrough bleeding between periods – it can be a sign that your Pill isn’t being absorbed properly.

While the exact cause isn’t known, leading contraceptive researcher Dr Anne Szarewski carried out research into how vegetarian diets might change the make-up of the gut flora that helps your body absorb oestrogen.

This in turn lowers the amount you absorb from your Pill.

Changing to a higher dose 30mcg Pill should sort this.

Tackling thrush

Active ingredients in creams or pessaries used to treat thrush can damage the rubber in diaphragms or condoms, increasing the risk that they’ll tear.

So abstain from sex for a day or two after treatment.

“You also need to be careful of anything oily with condoms – body oils, massage oils and even some lubricants can damage them. If you’re using a lubricant, make sure that it’s marked suitable for use with condoms,” says Dr Cooper.

The breastfeeding ‘myth’

Many mums think that you can’t get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding, but you can if you’re not feeding regularly or exclusively.

“In fact, you can ovulate within 28 days of giving birth if you’re not breastfeeding fully, so you could be pregnant again before your six-week post-natal check,” says Dr Sarah Gray from the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum.
She recommends that if you’re thinking of having sex, you should use contraception.

Food for thought

Summer temperatures

Don't toss your Pill in your beach bag - the heat can make them less effective

Watch where you store your Pill on holiday – the hormones can break down in high temperatures, making them less effective, so leave them in a dry, cool place.

“We have to keep the vaginal ring in cold storage in the surgery and once they’ve been given to you they’ll only last for four months at room temperature before they start to lose efficacy,” says Dr Cooper.

Condoms can also be damaged by heat, so store them somewhere cool and dark (back pockets don’t count).

Ovulating on the pill

An unlucky 1-2% of women ovulate during the seven-day break between Pill packs. And if you do, you could end up pregnant.

“This is one reason why newer Pills, such as Zoely, are coming out with just four-day breaks. It’s more reliable,” says Dr Gray.

You can shorten the break with any Pill or, even better, run Pill packets back to back, avoiding the break.

“You can do this with monophasic pills (where all pills are the same colour) – just keep taking them until you get breakthrough bleeding, then have a four-day break and start a new packet,” says Dr Gray.